Page 16 - Chiron Calling Spring 2017

25089270 SSGT CRAIG SIMPSON
Where are you from and where did you go to school?
I am originally from Forfar, however with both parents in the Services I was schooled at the Duke of Yorks Royal Military School in Dover.
Why did you join the Army and the RAVC?
I initially joined the Army in order to get a trade. In order to do this I joined the REME where I served for a number of years before transferring to the RAVC. Northern Ireland was the catalyst for this, following an exciting two years as an E2 handler. I enjoyed this experience so much that I wished to continue working with the dogs for my career.
Where did you undertake basic training?
I undertook basic training at the Army Apprentice College in Arbor eld.
Brie y, what have you done since?
Since joining the RAVC I have undertaken assignments at 1MWD Regt in both the UK and Germany in addition to the DAC. With the RAVC I have added to those deployments undertaken with the REME to Kosovo and Iraq; deploying to Afghanistan, Pakistan and Northern Ireland. In addition I have been on Exercises in Canada, Germany, the UK and Cyprus. My assignment to 103 MWD Sqn in Germany has been tmy top posting to date, due to the high Operational tempo and simply experiencing what Germany has to offer.
What is your current position?
I am currently the Training SNCO at 1MWD Regt. I am responsible for the assurance of Regimental training output and delivering training requirements, including PNCO Cadres.
What advantages are there and what do you like about your job?
What I like most about my current job is being able to develop and positively in uence the future NCOs of the RAVC.
Do you have any dislikes?
Quite frankly, I enjoy it all.
What is your main passion out of work?
My main passion out of work is for Rugby Union and developing 1MWD Regt RFC. Over the last 3 years I have helped to found and grow the Regimental Rugby team which is now looking to eld a full 15’s side following the rebasing of the 2 MWD Squadrons from Germany.
14 CHIRON CALLING
Reserve Integration on Exercise CHIRON FALLEN
By Lance Corporal Arran Manton 101 Military Working Dog Squadron
Reserve solider integration with Regular units is critical, both for increasing experience and creating cohesion. In October 2016, Reserve soldiers from 101 Military Working Dog Squadron (Reserve) were invited to deploy on Exercise CHIRON FALLEN; 104 Military Working Dog Squadron’s exercise focused on training based around scenarios which could occur within the UK.
Those Reserve soldiers who were able to attend were eager to accept the invite and were intrigued at what could be in store for the teams when they deployed. In order to provide a realistic training scenario we were not told a lot about what the tasking would entail. All we knew was that we would be working with dogs and that it was a great occasion to carry out both military training and special to arm training with dogs in various parts of the UK.
On arrival at St George’s Barracks we were paired up with our Regular counterparts and given orders that we should be prepared to move at short notice. In preparation we organised our equipment and sorted out our administration and waited out for our tasking. Having not been tasked overnight, at the crack of dawn the following morning we deployed with our dogs. We were briefed that we would be heading towards Ipswich to provide Force Protection at an air eld deemed likely to be the type of target for anyone looking to disrupt critical infrastructure.
The air eld tasking was a chance to ease our way into Force Protection. We worked throughout the night, allowing our Protection dogs to use their senses to greater effect and test our handling skills tactically on the ground. The air eld environment assessed our ability to utilise the weather conditions to the dog’s advantage; selecting patrol routes that worked to the dog’s strengths. We also assessed the dog’s scenting ability in nding intruders (Pick-up and Indication). This enabled us to recognise our dog’s indications, a critical aspect in Protection work for a dog handler.
This rst phase of the exercise was hugely successful, rotating dog patrols throughout the night, not knowing whether anything would occur on your patrol and
Order of dress – black
demanding areas to work through. In the midst of it all this, we were kept on our toes by a request to detect and detain an “intruder” in a fort at the nearby docks, testing our understanding of the Rules of Engagement.
Following a swift return to St George’s Barracks we then deployed to an urban environment. Arriving at our holding area in the shadows of Twickenham Stadium and we set about conducting our normal routine of exercising the dogs, feeding (both the dogs rst then ourselves!) and conducting more exercising. This part of the deployment was hugely different to the rst, we were now in a densely populated, tightly packed urban area; a very different atmosphere altogether. This phase provided an opportunity to exercise in a number of varying complex scenarios including unfamiliar environments both in buildings, outdoors and on water. It also provided environmental training for the dogs. Again, placed on a short Notice to Move time, we found ourselves crawling through the dusty enclaves under Churchill’s War Rooms, hurled down the Thames in the darkness on a Police RIB to board, clear and detain an “intruder” on HMS Belfast and search an unused train depot. Fast paced, as is London City life, our biggest tactical problem was traf c!
As we ended the London phase of the exercise we made our way to Norfolk where our military skills were tested. Again we rapidly jumped environments to another hugely contrasting atmosphere and a completely different set of Rules of Engagement of the enemy. Here we could work with our dogs on improving their training needs and also our own. The wealth of knowledge available from the training staff was key, allowing us to develop ourselves further as Protection dog handlers.
The exercise was very successful in integrating the Reserves into the Regular Squadron. Our skills improved throughout and we were able to build a good relationship with the Regular Squadron. The entire exercise was both enjoyable and educating for the Reserve soldiers and we look forward to future integration opportunities.
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